Domestic violence rate tops in state

October 9, 2005

MARY AMES/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - Getting the title of top rank isn't always a good thing. Take domestic violence, for example. Alaska leads the nation in reported cases of domestic violence, according to Donn Bennice, chief executive officer of Alaska Family Services in Palmer. And the Mat-Su Borough rates of domestic violence are the highest in Alaska, he said.

There is one emergency shelter for women fleeing a violent situation in the borough. It's intended as a short-term safe house where women who have been assaulted or abused can begin to feel safe. She, and her children if necessary, can regroup and begin to plan a new future. Here, women victims find advocates who help them navigate the physical, legal and emotional hurdles facing them.

The shelter is open all hours of the day, every day of the week. As the population of the Valley increases, and as the problems with drugs, especially meth labs increase, the number of women who seek respite and relief at the shelter increases, according to Bennice.

The Mat-Su shelter has 32 beds.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Perhaps, with more awareness and response, Mat-Su can lose the rank of tops in a state that ranks top in the nation.

Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, as it is sometimes called, differs from other crimes, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC calls it a serious, preventable public-health problem that affects more than 32 million Americans. It includes physical, sexual or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse and can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples. It doesn't require sexual intimacy, according to CDC.

For the average crime, victims aren't asked why they let it happen, said Candy Limmer, crisis intervention and legal advocate at Alaska Family Services. But when a victim is in her own home, where she should expect to be safest, people often ask why she let it happen.

It's more important to ask why batterers do what they do, according to Limmer.

&#8221Society needs to hold them responsible,“ she said. &#8221It's an accountability issue. And it's about the dynamics of power and control in an intimate relationship. Everybody has anger, but the effort to gain control over the victim by instilling fear makes the difference.“

Domestic or intimate partner violence occurs on a sliding scale, according to CDC, ranging from a one-time hit to chronic, severe battering. Sometimes hitting never happens, but there is still abuse.

&#8221Many women victims never have a hand laid on them, because it's not necessary,“ Limmer said. &#8221Emotional and psychological abuse are powerful enough.“

Courts can order batterers to a 36-week program, according to both Woodin and Limmer. Those programs are an educational process of changing behavior, Limmer said. Anger management programs, or men's programs, are only 12 weeks long.

&#8221Anger management, or men's program is a softer term,“ Limmer said. &#8221They're a denial of the actual danger. Some men prefer going to jail to attending batterers' programs.“

People can help alleviate abusive situations, said Betsy Woodin, director of outreach and prevention at AFS.

In a crisis, if someone knows abuse is happening, call the cops, Woodin said. For an ongoing problem, for someone or someone they know, AFS offers a crisis line, 746-4080, 24 hours a day.

&#8221You can't force an adult to get help,“ Woodin said. &#8221But we offer referrals and support. We have a weekly support group where you can just come, you don't have to share. Just come, bring a friend if you want, and see if you feel safe. You can meet with someone in a private setting if you need to speak privately with an advocate.“

Even with the population growth in the Valley, it's difficult for a woman to live here and avoid her abuser, Limmer said.

&#8221There are only so many places you can hide,“ she said. &#8221A woman is at greatest risk of dying when she leaves, or has just left, a violent situation.“

That's where Alaska Family Services comes in.

&#8221Safety is our main job,“ said she.

Contact Mary Ames at

352-2284 or mary.ames@

frontiersman.com.